Propylene glycol
Systematic name	1,2-propanediol
Other names	propylene glycol
Chemical formula	C3H8O2
Molecular mass	76.09 g/mol
Density	1.036 g/cm3
Melting point	-59 °C
Boiling point	188.2 °C
CAS number	[57-55-6]
SMILES	CC(O)CO
Disclaimer and references

Propylene glycol, also known as 1,2-propanediol, is an organic compound (a diol alcohol), usually a tasteless, odorless, and colorless clear oily liquid that is hygroscopic and miscible with water, acetone, and chloroform. It is manufactured by the hydration of propylene oxide. Download high resolution version (1634x403, 3 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... IUPAC nomenclature is a system of naming chemical compounds and of describing the science of chemistry in general. ... A chemical formula (also called molecular formula) is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... The molecular mass (abbreviated MM) of a substance, called molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the mass of one molecule of that substance, relative to the unified atomic mass unit u (equal to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12). ... Density (symbol: ρ - Greek: rho) is a measure of mass per unit of volume. ... The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it can change its state from a liquid to a gas throughout the bulk of the liquid at a given pressure. ... CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for chemical compounds, polymers, biological sequences, mixtures and alloys. ... The simplified molecular input line entry specification or SMILES is a specification for unambiguously describing the structure of chemical molecules using short ASCII strings. ... Benzene An organic compound is any member of a large class of chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon, with the exception of carbides, carbonates, carbon oxides and elementary carbon. ... A diol is a chemical compound containing two hydroxyl groups (-OH groups). ... In chemistry, an alcohol is any organic compound in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group. ... A hygroscopic substance is a substance that absorbs water readily from its surroundings. ... The chemistry term miscible refers to the property of various liquids that allows them to be mixed together. ... This article focuses on water as it is experienced in everyday life. ... R-phrases , , , S-phrases , , , Flash point -20 °C Autoignition temperature 465 °C RTECS number AL31500000 Supplementary data page Structure & properties n, εr, etc. ... PEL-TWA (OSHA) 50 ppm (240 mg/m3) IDLH (NIOSH) 500 ppm Flash point non-flammable RTECS number FS9100000 Supplementary data page Structure & properties n, εr, etc. ... Propylene oxide is a highly toxic flammable chemical compound. ...

Applications

Propylene glycol is used:

• As a moisturizer in medicines, cosmetics, food, and tobacco products
• As a medical and sexual lubricant (A.K.A. "personal lubricant")
• As a flavoring agent in Angostura and Orange bitters
• As a solvent for food colors and flavourings
• As a humectant food additive, labeled as E number E1520
• As a carrier in fragrance oils
• As a food grade antifreeze
• In smoke machines to make artificial smoke for use in firefighters' training and theatrical productions
• In hand sanitizers, antibacterial lotions, and saline solutions
• As a main ingredient in many cosmetic products, including baby wipes, bubble baths, and shampoos
• As the primary ingredient in the "paint" inside a paintball
• As a base ingredient in aircraft deicing fluid and some automobile antifreezes
• In cryonics
• As a working fluid in hydraulic presses

Moisturizers are a complex mixture of chemical agents specially designed to make the external layers of the skin (epidermis) softer and more pliable, by increasing its hydration (water content). ... Oral medication A medication is a licenced drug taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. ... Closeup of a womans eye while wearing makeup Cosmetics or makeup are substances to enhance the beauty of the human body, apart from simple cleaning. ... Species Nicotiana acuminata Nicotiana alata Nicotiana attenuata Nicotiana benthamiana Nicotiana clevelandii Nicotiana excelsior Nicotiana forgetiana Nicotiana glauca Nicotiana glutinosa Nicotiana langsdorffii Nicotiana longiflora Nicotiana obtusifolia Nicotiana paniculata Nicotiana plumbagifolia Nicotiana quadrivalvis Nicotiana repanda Nicotiana rustica Nicotianasuaveolens Nicotiana sylvestris Nicotiana tabacum Nicotiana tomentosa Ref: ITIS 30562 as of August 26, 2005... Lubricants are an essential part of modern machinery. ... The name Angostura may refer to Angostura bitters and the associated company Angostura Ltd. ... Bitters are an alcoholic herbal preparation with a bitter or bittersweet flavor. ... A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution. ... Food coloring spreading on a soap bubble A food coloring is any substance that is added to food to change its color. ... Flavouring (CwE) or flavoring (AmE) is a product which is added to food in order to change or augment its taste. ... A humectant is a hygroscopic substance that is used as a food additive. ... Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavour or improve its taste and appearance. ... For the mathematical constant see: E (mathematical constant). ... Fragrance oils, also known as aroma oils, aromatic oils, and flavor oils, are blended synthetic aroma compounds or natural essential oils that are diluted with a carrier like propylene glycol, vegetable oil, or mineral oil. ... A man pouring antifreeze into his vehicle. ... A smoke machine is a piece of equipment which generates fog (artificial smoke). ... Smoke from a wildfire Smoke is a suspension in air (aerosol) of small particles resulting from incomplete combustion of a fuel. ... It has been suggested that Firefighter Assist and Search Team be merged into this article or section. ... For other usages see Theatre (disambiguation) Theater (American English) or Theatre (British English and widespread usage among theatre professionals in the US) is that branch of the performing arts concerned with acting out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle — indeed... An antiseptic (Greek αντι, against, and σηπτικος, putrefactive) is a substance that prevents the growth and reproduction of various microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses) on the external surfaces of the body. ... In medicine saline is a solution of sodium chloride in sterile water, used commonly for intravenous infusion, rinsing contact lenses, and nasal irrigation or jala neti. ... Closeup of a womans eye while wearing makeup Cosmetics or makeup are substances to enhance the beauty of the human body, apart from simple cleaning. ... In film editing, a wipe is a gradual spatial transition from one image to another. ... Bubble baths can be obtained by adding a product containing sodium dodecyl sulfate and is certified lather to water. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Paintball is a sport whose participants use compressed air guns (called markers) to shoot paintballs (roughly marble-sized, .68 caliber, gelatin capsules filled with colored polyethylene glycol paint) at other players. ... Ground deicing of aircraft is commonly performed in both commercial and general aviation. ... A man pouring antifreeze into his vehicle. ... Cryonics (often mistakenly called cryogenics) is the practice of cryopreserving humans or animals that can no longer be sustained by contemporary medicine until resuscitation may be possible in the future. ...

Safety

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined propylene glycol to be "generally recognized as safe" for use in food, cosmetics, and medicines. Like ethylene glycol, propylene glycol affects the body's chemistry by increasing the amount of acid. Propylene glycol is metabolized into lactic acid, which occurs naturally as muscles are exercised, while ethylene glycol is metabolized into oxalic acid, which is toxic. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) is an FDA designation that a chemical or substance (including certain pesticides) added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual FFDCA food additive tolerance requirements. ... Ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol (MEG), IUPAC name: ethane-1,2-diol) is an alcohol with two -OH groups (a diol), a chemical compound widely used as an automotive antifreeze. ... Lactic acid, also known as milk acid or 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, is a chemical compound that plays a role in several biochemical processes. ... Oxalic acid (IUPAC name: ethanedioic acid, formula H2C2O4) is a dicarboxylic acid with structure (HOOC)-(COOH). ...

Reference

• Merck Index, 11th Edition, 7868

External link

• CDC ToxFAQ for Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol

• For a full list of external links to MSDSs, spectroscopic data, commercial chemicals suppliers etc. for this compound, see Wikipedia:Chemical sources.